Re: SPEED!

In Reply to: Re: SPEED! posted by Preston on January 08, 2001 at 10:40:06:

: : Does anyone have an insight as to how to sustain a steady beat on (very): : up tempo tunes? Would practicing playing that way, using just a few : : (of the same)notes, be the way to get better at it?

: : I've heard some bassists playing tempos in jazz that is nothing short of : : amazing, especially when they keep it going for a long time.

: : Classical!! Yes classical. I practice classical pieces like the : Bach Brandenburghs specifically for speed developement. I bow them easily but : pizz is a challenge at first. Once you've mastered the rapid runs and quick: string cross overs even some of the fastest jazz licks can become easy. : Tips of fingers (as Ray Brown does),at mid fingerboard, and practice to relax.: The true test of my speed developement is on Sunday mornings for my church.: Where I have to play fast and sustain sometimes for up to 10 minutes or more.: Relax,relax,relax!!! Practice,practice,practice!!!

There is still nothing better than practicing with a metronome on 2+4. Also, get the Jamie Abersold Charlie Parker book/cd and practice along. The Ron Carter transcriptions on the bass part are amazing practice tools as well.